Hiking in and Around Boulder Creek: Where the Trails Are

Outdoors

Jun 15

Boulder Creek has always been a trailhead town. Big Basin's front door is up the highway, Castle Rock sits on the ridge above, and two more redwood parks are a short drive down the valley. The catch, since the 2020 CZU fire, is that "what's open" changes more often than any guide can promise. Treat this page as a map of options, not a guarantee, and check each park's own page before you drive. Every status below comes from the parks' official pages as of August 7, 2026.

The Miller property: the newest place to walk

The closest new option is Miller Property County Park, a 410-acre open space on Kings Creek Road about three miles north of town, opened to the public by Santa Cruz County Parks in August 2025. It's open sunrise to sunset daily, with nature trails along Kings Creek, a gated dirt parking lot and portable restroom at the entrance, and leashed dogs welcome; fires, alcohol, and motorized vehicles aren't. The county and Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship are building out a three-mile multi-use trail network through spring 2027, so expect basic facilities and some construction activity. We've got a full writeup coming; for now, expect a quiet, unpolished walk.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin is the big one, nine miles up Highway 236 from downtown, and it's open for limited day use, 8 a.m. to sunset, while it recovers from the CZU fire. Camping remains closed, parking is limited, and a reservation is strongly recommended. Rather than repeat details that shift month to month, start with our guide to what's actually open at Big Basin, then use the day trip guide to plan the outing itself. For the deeper story of the park and the town, read how Big Basin became California's first state park.

Castle Rock State Park

Castle Rock sits at the top of the ridge, up Highway 9 where it meets Skyline Boulevard, and it's a different mountain than the valley floor: higher, drier, with sandstone formations that have made it a rock climbing destination for decades. As of this writing the park's page lists trails and climbing open, day use from 6 a.m. to sunset, and $10 per vehicle at the Kirkwood entrance. Two things to know before you commit: dogs aren't allowed, and the park's own page warns there's no cell reception in or around the park, so download your map and tell someone your plan.

Henry Cowell Redwoods and the Fall Creek Unit

Down the valley near Felton, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is the easy win: open sunrise to sunset, $10 per vehicle, a visitor center open daily, and old-growth redwoods close to the parking. It's the flattest, most forgiving redwood walking in the area, which makes it the right call with kids or anyone easing into hiking.

Henry Cowell's Fall Creek Unit, on the far side of Felton, is the opposite personality: day use only, no bikes, no dogs, no fires, and almost twenty miles of connecting trails. With no bikes and no dogs, it tends to be the quieter walk. Facilities are minimal, so arrive self-sufficient.

Loch Lomond Recreation Area

Loch Lomond, the City of Santa Cruz's drinking water reservoir near Felton, has hiking trails with reservoir views, picnic areas, and boat rentals, but its rules are the strictest here because you're walking around a water supply. It's open seasonally, March through October, and closed every Wednesday. Through Labor Day the schedule is 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Tuesday; after Labor Day it drops to weekends only until the season ends the second weekend of October. Day use is $10 per vehicle. Swimming is prohibited, leashed dogs are welcome on trails, and staying on designated trails is part of the deal.

Walks without leaving town

You don't have to drive at all for a stroll. Garrahan Park, at 15555 Highway 9 just north of town, has a walking track, open sunrise to sunset. Junction Park and the rest of the in-town options are covered in our parks and playgrounds guide, and if your idea of a trail ends at the water, the river swimming guide covers that side of summer.

Mountain sense, briefly

A few habits keep local hikes uneventful. Poison oak grows along most trails here, so learn its three-leaf look and stay on the path. Carry more water than seems necessary; the ridge parks get hot and Big Basin has no potable water. Cell coverage dies in every park on this list, so download maps first and tell someone where you're going. And the standing rule: conditions change, so check the park's own page the morning you head out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the closest hiking to downtown Boulder Creek?

Miller Property County Park on Kings Creek Road, about three miles north, is the closest dedicated trail area, and Garrahan Park's walking track is right on Highway 9. For a bigger day, Big Basin is nine miles up Highway 236.

Is Big Basin open for hiking?

Yes, for limited day use while it recovers from the 2020 fire, with camping still closed. What's open changes, so read our Big Basin status guide and confirm on the official park page before you drive up.

Can I bring my dog?

It depends on the park, so check before you load the car. Miller Property and Loch Lomond welcome leashed dogs on their trails, while Castle Rock and Henry Cowell's Fall Creek Unit don't allow dogs at all. Each park's own page has the current rule.

Do these parks charge entrance fees?

The state parks and Loch Lomond each list $10 per vehicle for day use; Big Basin runs $6 plus a $2 fee with a parking reservation, or $10 without. Miller Property and Garrahan Park list no day-use fee. Fees change; treat these as a snapshot.

When is Loch Lomond open?

March through October, and never on a Wednesday. Through Labor Day it's open Thursday to Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; after that it's weekends only until the second weekend of October. Confirm on the city's Loch Lomond page before you go.